Hindraf ready for talks with PM over condition of Malay Indians

H indu Right Action Force leader P. Waythamoorthy wants to have a dialogue over the condition of Indians living in Malaysia with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in London, said he is prepared to meet Najib to outline the grouses that had pushed Hindraf to mobilise members of the Indian community to a protest rally on November 25, 2007.
"It is timely for the Prime Minister and the government of the day to engage Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement in a dialogue to discuss ways and means to tackle the various problems afflicting the Indian community in Malaysia," said Waythamoorthy.
The Star quoted him, as saying that Hindraf and the Makkal Sakthi movement had always been open to initiating an open and honest discussion with the relevant authorities to help solve the socio-economic ills plaguing the Indian community.
"Given that Najib is propagating his OneMalaysia philosophy, solving the Malaysian Indian problem must be made a top priority," said Waythamoorthy, who is recovering from heart surgery.
He added that he was keen to put forward to Najib the movement's 18-point demand including the need for all Tamil schools in the country to be made fully aided entities.
Currently, Tamil schools are only partially aided and this has resulted in students having to make do with ramshackled structures for classrooms.
"We are willing to work with the current government to ensure that the interests of the Indian community are taken care off," said Waythamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy, who spearheaded the movement with his elder brother Uthayakumar, who is now detained under the Internal Security Act, recently reshaped Hindraf into a non-governmental organisation to tackle the various socio-economic problems faced by Indians.
He has also insisted in maintaining Hindraf as a non-political entity